MassVoter.com← Taunton Municipal CouncilTaunton Municipal Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
January 28, 2025
21 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Christopher Coute, Phillip Duarte, Jeffrey Postell, Barry Sanders, David Pottier, Scott Martin, Estele Borges, John McCaul
Absent: Lawrence Quintal
Every vote, in order
Dello Russo that the goal of last year's CIP was to evaluate three (3) fire stations for possible replacement and move forward this year to the next step in the CIP.
To approve the request of $39,780,139.00 from accounts and transfers on slide #37 to the projects listed on slide #37
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve the request of $39,780,139.00 from accounts and transfers on slide #37 to the projects listed on slide #37. So Voted..”
The Assistant City Clerk read a communication from Mayor O'Connell requesting the Council's consideration in passing an ordinance that would allow the City of Taunton to waive fees for birth certificates for individuals experiencing homelessness.
To refer to the Committee on Ordinances and Enrolled Bills
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the Committee on Ordinances and Enrolled Bills. So Voted..”
Councilor Borges asked Mayor O'Connell to find out if this is already an Ordinance or in the Charter.
To recess at 8:03pm
From the minutes
“Motion was made to recess at 8:03pm. So Voted..”
So Voted.
To resume the meeting at 8:05pm
From the minutes
“Motion was made to resume the meeting at 8:05pm. So Voted..”
Council President Martin began presiding.
To go out of the regular order of business to Unfinished Business
From the minutes
“Motion was made to go out of the regular order of business to Unfinished Business. So Voted..”
The Assistant City Clerk read a communication from the Animal Control Officer regarding the required update on the Kennel License for Taylor Brewer, 75 Plain Street, Taunton, which expires January 28, 2025.
To extend the license for a period of ninety (90) days to make sure the conditions are met
From the minutes
“Motion was made to extend the license for a period of ninety (90) days to make sure the conditions are met. So Voted..”
So Voted.
To revert back to the regular order of business
From the minutes
“Motion was made to revert back to the regular order of business. So Voted..”
Reappointment of Richard Clark, 16 Freitas Avenue, Taunton to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees for a term of three (3) Years expiring on January 28, 2028.
To approve
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve. So Voted..”
Reappointment of Willitts Mendonca, 199 South Walker Street, Taunton to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees for a term of three (3) Years expiring on January 28, 2028.
To approve
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve. So Voted..”
Reappointment of Jay Pateakos, 526 Delano Road, Marion, MA to serve as the Mayor's Designee to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees through January 2026.
To approve
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve. So Voted..”
4 Appointment of Council President Scott Martin to serve as ex officio as a Trustee on the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust expiring January 2026.
To approve
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve. So Voted..”
Com. from the Chief Financial Officer stating that the Finance Department is requesting to appear in the Committee on Finance and Salaries on February 4, 2025 to discuss the potential dissolution of the Airport and Parking Commission revolving funds as of June 30, 2025.
To refer to the Committee on Finance and Salaries
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the Committee on Finance and Salaries. So Voted..”
Com. from the City Solicitor regarding a communication dated January 13, 2025 regarding changes to Xfinity TV services which the Law Department has received from Xfinity.
To receive and place on file
From the minutes
“Motion was made to receive and place on file. So Voted..”
Com. from the City Solicitor regarding a communication dated January 13, 2025 regarding changes to Xfinity TV services which the Law Department has received from Xfinity
To refer to the Law Department to advise the Council on their options with the cable company regarding their fee structure and changing standard channels to premium channels
From the minutes
“Councilor Sanders motioned to refer to the Law Department to advise the Council on their options with the cable company regarding their fee structure and changing standard channels to premium channels. So Voted..” (Motion: Sanders)
Com. from the Executive Director of Retirement stating that at a meeting of the Taunton Retirement Board on January 22, 2025, it was voted to post a meeting to be held at 1:OOpm on February 26, 2025 for the purpose of reviewing a
To receive and place on file pages #4 and #5
From the minutes
“Motion was made to receive and place on file pages #4 and #5. So Voted..”
Com. from the City Planner regarding the second quarter FY2025 update on the implementation of the ADA transition report.
To refer to the Committee on Americans with Disabilities Compliance pages #6 through #10
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the Committee on Americans with Disabilities Compliance pages #6 through #10. So Voted..”
Com. from the City Solicitor regarding a letter from the Planning Board providing input regarding Map 113, Lot 1, North Precinct Street.
To receive and place on file pages #11 and #12
From the minutes
“Motion was made to receive and place on file pages #11 and #12. So Voted..”
Com. from the City Solicitor stating that the Administration has reached an agreement with the City of Taunton Management Association for a successor collective bargaining agreement.
To refer to the Committee of the Council as a Whole for an executive session
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the Committee of the Council as a Whole for an executive session. So Voted..”
Petitions: Joint Pole Petition submitted by Verizon New England, Inc
To refer to the City Clerk to schedule a public hearing
From the minutes
“Motion was made to refer to the City Clerk to schedule a public hearing. So Voted..”
Committee reports
For Committee Reports to be read by title and approved
From the minutes
“Motion was made for Committee Reports to be read by title and approved. So Voted..”
Resolutions: NONE
To invite the Assessor to the Committee of the Council as a Whole to provide some education regarding tax bills and assessments
Yes: Borges, McCaul, Pottier, SandersNo: Coute, Duarte, Martin, PostellAbsent: Quintal
From the minutes
“Councilor Borges motioned to invite the Assessor to the Committee of the Council as a Whole to provide some education regarding tax bills and assessments. On a roll call vote, eight (8) Councilors were present, four (4) Councilors voted in favor (Councilors McCaul, Borges, Pottier and Sanders), four (4) Councilors voted in opposition (Councilors Martin, Postell, Duarte and Coute). The motion does not pass..” (Motion: Borges)
From the official minutes kept by the Taunton City Clerk (agendas and minutes). From the Taunton Municipal Council’s official minutes, posted in the city’s Agenda Center. Most items pass by voice (“So voted”), and the minutes record only the result for those; how each councilor voted is shown for roll calls. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Councilor photos: City of Taunton Municipal Council page (taunton-ma.gov). Former councilors show initials.
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